Our members are as diverse as the collections they build. The Close-Up is published every 4-8
weeks and takes a look at one members' collection as well as the person and stories behind it.
weeks and takes a look at one members' collection as well as the person and stories behind it.
Bill Cohon
What got you collecting as a kid? What was the hot thing to collect then?
I grew up in New Jersey in the 1950’s and early 60’s. During that time, there were only two
years - 1954 and 1959 - when the Yankees didn’t win the pennant. It seemed like everyone
was a baseball fan. I collected baseball cards, just like all the kids I knew, and I rooted for the
Yankees. A friend of mine was a Giants fan, and we had a deal: he got all the Mays cards, and
I got all the Mantles. I had a stack of them about five or six inches high.When I was a teenager,
my family moved across the country to Tacoma. I had recently discovered girls, and stopped
paying attention to my cards. Consequently, they didn’t make the trip. It’s a sad story. I suspect
most guys my age tell it, in one version or another.
What’s the most destructive thing you’ve ever done with a collectible?
I liked the sound of cards in my bicycle spokes. In fact, I clipped one on each side, and changed them often, so it would
be nice and loud. I always used rookie cards. After all, they were worthless no-names. If it hadn’t been for me, there would
now be a vastly greater supply of rookie cards from the late fifties and early sixties. My bad. Incidentally, in my crowd, the
most valuable cards were the latest ones of big name stars. Those cards had glowing descriptions and gaudy stats on the
backs. Honestly, did anybody even like rookie cards back then?
What’s the one thing you sold or gave away that you really regret and wish you could get back?
Well, the stack of Mantles would be nice. Also, the foul ball I caught in Yankee Stadium in 1961. A few years later, when I
was off at college, my younger brother and sister were using it to have a catch. It got stuck in a bush, so they left it. They
went back to the house and got a ball with autographs on it, and used that instead. I still have that ball, but the autographs
are pretty much obliterated.
What’s the one thing you own now that you wouldn’t sell for all the money in the world and what’s
the story behind it?
There are two answers to this question.
What got you collecting as a kid? What was the hot thing to collect then?
I grew up in New Jersey in the 1950’s and early 60’s. During that time, there were only two
years - 1954 and 1959 - when the Yankees didn’t win the pennant. It seemed like everyone
was a baseball fan. I collected baseball cards, just like all the kids I knew, and I rooted for the
Yankees. A friend of mine was a Giants fan, and we had a deal: he got all the Mays cards, and
I got all the Mantles. I had a stack of them about five or six inches high.When I was a teenager,
my family moved across the country to Tacoma. I had recently discovered girls, and stopped
paying attention to my cards. Consequently, they didn’t make the trip. It’s a sad story. I suspect
most guys my age tell it, in one version or another.
What’s the most destructive thing you’ve ever done with a collectible?
I liked the sound of cards in my bicycle spokes. In fact, I clipped one on each side, and changed them often, so it would
be nice and loud. I always used rookie cards. After all, they were worthless no-names. If it hadn’t been for me, there would
now be a vastly greater supply of rookie cards from the late fifties and early sixties. My bad. Incidentally, in my crowd, the
most valuable cards were the latest ones of big name stars. Those cards had glowing descriptions and gaudy stats on the
backs. Honestly, did anybody even like rookie cards back then?
What’s the one thing you sold or gave away that you really regret and wish you could get back?
Well, the stack of Mantles would be nice. Also, the foul ball I caught in Yankee Stadium in 1961. A few years later, when I
was off at college, my younger brother and sister were using it to have a catch. It got stuck in a bush, so they left it. They
went back to the house and got a ball with autographs on it, and used that instead. I still have that ball, but the autographs
are pretty much obliterated.
What’s the one thing you own now that you wouldn’t sell for all the money in the world and what’s
the story behind it?
There are two answers to this question.
A few years ago, a friend of mine with a large collection was dying of cancer. He needed money,
but lacked the necessary energy to organize and sell his cards. So I helped out. His grateful
partner gave me a card as a token of thanks - the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson rookie. It was
special to my friend, and now it is special to me.
but lacked the necessary energy to organize and sell his cards. So I helped out. His grateful
partner gave me a card as a token of thanks - the 1948 Leaf Jackie Robinson rookie. It was
special to my friend, and now it is special to me.
On a cheerier note, my rarest card is the 1936 World Wide Gum Phil Weintraub (#135). I had been looking for it for at least
ten years, ever since Mark Macrae told me about it. In a nutshell, it is so rare that until fifteen or twenty years ago, the set
was thought to end with #134. But not only is it scarce, it’s also one of the only cards of this particular Jewish player. Anyway,
I bookmarked the search, and checked eBay every day. One day, much to my amazement, there it was! I hoped it would fly
beneath the radar of the other Jewish collectors, and everyone else who might be interested. And I knew that if I were to have
any chance of acquiring it, I would have to snipe as it closed.
Now I don’t know how you fellows work it, but in my house it goes like this - my wife is okay with my hobby, but she has no
interest in the cards, and does not want to be appraised of the particulars. My problem was that the Weintraub auction was
ending during a dinner party at our house. I had to tell my wife so that I could excuse myself and snipe. As the guests arrived,
my wife told each and every one of them that I would be bidding on a very special card that night. So for an hour, the room was
buzzing with expectation. The bidding was not flying beneath the radar at my house. With five minutes left, I moved into the
computer room and positioned myself in front of the screen. The card was still under a hundred dollars, but I knew the action
would be in the final seconds. My wife and guests kept up a constant chatter, yelling to me “How’s it going?” “Did you get it?”
“Is it over yet?” At least they weren’t physically looking over my shoulder. With 8 seconds left, I bid twice as much as I told my
wife I would. I couldn’t help myself. I was pretty sure I’d never have another chance to buy this card. Then the auction ended, I
saw that I had won, and for half of what I had bid. Whew - what a night!!!
What’s your favorite recent pickup and why?
This year I got the 1928 Zeenut Ike Danning. It was one of two remaining cards I needed in my quest for all the Jewish players
in the Zeenuts. To say it has been well loved doesn’t quite describe it. It’s pretty beat. But I had looked for a decade, and am
delighted finally to have found it. By the way, I’m still looking for the 1926 Syd Cohen card, so let me know if you have an extra.
ten years, ever since Mark Macrae told me about it. In a nutshell, it is so rare that until fifteen or twenty years ago, the set
was thought to end with #134. But not only is it scarce, it’s also one of the only cards of this particular Jewish player. Anyway,
I bookmarked the search, and checked eBay every day. One day, much to my amazement, there it was! I hoped it would fly
beneath the radar of the other Jewish collectors, and everyone else who might be interested. And I knew that if I were to have
any chance of acquiring it, I would have to snipe as it closed.
Now I don’t know how you fellows work it, but in my house it goes like this - my wife is okay with my hobby, but she has no
interest in the cards, and does not want to be appraised of the particulars. My problem was that the Weintraub auction was
ending during a dinner party at our house. I had to tell my wife so that I could excuse myself and snipe. As the guests arrived,
my wife told each and every one of them that I would be bidding on a very special card that night. So for an hour, the room was
buzzing with expectation. The bidding was not flying beneath the radar at my house. With five minutes left, I moved into the
computer room and positioned myself in front of the screen. The card was still under a hundred dollars, but I knew the action
would be in the final seconds. My wife and guests kept up a constant chatter, yelling to me “How’s it going?” “Did you get it?”
“Is it over yet?” At least they weren’t physically looking over my shoulder. With 8 seconds left, I bid twice as much as I told my
wife I would. I couldn’t help myself. I was pretty sure I’d never have another chance to buy this card. Then the auction ended, I
saw that I had won, and for half of what I had bid. Whew - what a night!!!
What’s your favorite recent pickup and why?
This year I got the 1928 Zeenut Ike Danning. It was one of two remaining cards I needed in my quest for all the Jewish players
in the Zeenuts. To say it has been well loved doesn’t quite describe it. It’s pretty beat. But I had looked for a decade, and am
delighted finally to have found it. By the way, I’m still looking for the 1926 Syd Cohen card, so let me know if you have an extra.
|
What do you have the hardest time with as far as your collection goes?
I like obscure stuff. In addition to the few remaining cards I need of old Jewish players, I am working on the 1911 Obaks. They feature color lithographs of the Pacific Coast and Northwest League players. And the backs offer charming biographies with stats. Most of the time, when I go to a show or card shop, there are no cards that I need. So I amuse myself with a sub-set of my own invention: funny cards. You know - bad hair day, players who look like animals, uni-brow, or tongue out. I can just imagine a conversation between player and busy photographer. “I think I blinked.” “Oh, don’t worry about it.” |
"I think I blinked"!
|
Do you have a “white whale”? If so, what is it?
The only mammals I have are cats. Hold on, I know what you mean. Yes, a few years ago, I bought some old gloves. The prize
one is a pre-1910 MacGregor Goldsmith. Fearing a storage issue, my wife suggested I restrict my collection to cardboard.
Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed. But wait - just one final acquisition, before reigning it in. One white whale. I don’t know what got
into me. I bought an unused pair of baseball spikes from the early fifties. Tags still on them. Now what in heck am I going to do
with them?!
What’s the best interaction/story you have (if any) about a pro athlete you have met?
Nope, the best interaction story for this venue didn’t happen with a pro athlete; it happened with our own Mark Macrae. Remember
the old Tacoma Dome Show? Twenty years ago, I went down there with a friend. I wanted a vintage Hank Greenberg card. I was
five years into the hobby, and had just read “The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Baseball Cards.” The book explained about supply,
demand, and - most importantly - condition, and the effect they had on card prices. Before reading it, I thought cards were simply
worth what it said in Beckett’s. I looked through the show, and found four Greenberg cards for sale. I liked Mark’s the best, because
it was the 1934 Goudey - a rookie card. I examined it carefully. It was priced at $160.00. I had never bargained before, but having
read the book, I knew just what to say. I said, “Mr. Macrae, there are four Greenbergs for sale here today, and I am planning to buy
one. So what is your best price?” Mark was pissed! He looked at me incredulously. With venom in his voice, he said, “You want my
best price? I’ll give you my best price. $145.00, and it’s good for ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”
And with that, he snatched the card out of my hand, slammed it down on a back table, and stormed off. I stood there paralyzed, with
my mouth hanging open. The book hadn’t prepared me for such a hostile outburst. I found my friend, and tried to explain what had
happened, but I wasn’t actually sure, myself. I did still want the card, but wasn’t at all convinced Mark would sell it to me. We made
our way cautiously back to Mark’s table. I was frankly relieved that he wasn’t there. His mother was watching over his stuff. Very
meekly, I told her that Mark had put the Greenberg card aside for me, and I was returning to buy it for the price he had quoted -
$145.00. It was kind of true. She parted with it, and I got the heck out of there. This really happened.
Fortunately, somewhere along the line, Mark must have cooled off. And through the years, I’ve bought a lot of cards from him.
What is your favorite sports moment you have witnessed (doesn’t have to be in the flesh)?
Well, I enjoy my boyhood memories. I saw Mantle, Maris, Berra, Ford, Stengal, etc. I was at the 1960 Old-Timers Game at Yankee
Stadium. And I attended games in the Polo Grounds, in the Mets first two seasons. But my favorite moment is probably the same
as yours. My son and I were at the Kingdome in ’95, when Junior scored on Edgar’s double, and we beat the Yankees in the playoffs.
Wasn’t that just the greatest?!
The only mammals I have are cats. Hold on, I know what you mean. Yes, a few years ago, I bought some old gloves. The prize
one is a pre-1910 MacGregor Goldsmith. Fearing a storage issue, my wife suggested I restrict my collection to cardboard.
Somewhat reluctantly, I agreed. But wait - just one final acquisition, before reigning it in. One white whale. I don’t know what got
into me. I bought an unused pair of baseball spikes from the early fifties. Tags still on them. Now what in heck am I going to do
with them?!
What’s the best interaction/story you have (if any) about a pro athlete you have met?
Nope, the best interaction story for this venue didn’t happen with a pro athlete; it happened with our own Mark Macrae. Remember
the old Tacoma Dome Show? Twenty years ago, I went down there with a friend. I wanted a vintage Hank Greenberg card. I was
five years into the hobby, and had just read “The Ultimate Insider’s Guide to Baseball Cards.” The book explained about supply,
demand, and - most importantly - condition, and the effect they had on card prices. Before reading it, I thought cards were simply
worth what it said in Beckett’s. I looked through the show, and found four Greenberg cards for sale. I liked Mark’s the best, because
it was the 1934 Goudey - a rookie card. I examined it carefully. It was priced at $160.00. I had never bargained before, but having
read the book, I knew just what to say. I said, “Mr. Macrae, there are four Greenbergs for sale here today, and I am planning to buy
one. So what is your best price?” Mark was pissed! He looked at me incredulously. With venom in his voice, he said, “You want my
best price? I’ll give you my best price. $145.00, and it’s good for ten seconds. Ten, nine, eight, seven, six, five, four, three, two, one!”
And with that, he snatched the card out of my hand, slammed it down on a back table, and stormed off. I stood there paralyzed, with
my mouth hanging open. The book hadn’t prepared me for such a hostile outburst. I found my friend, and tried to explain what had
happened, but I wasn’t actually sure, myself. I did still want the card, but wasn’t at all convinced Mark would sell it to me. We made
our way cautiously back to Mark’s table. I was frankly relieved that he wasn’t there. His mother was watching over his stuff. Very
meekly, I told her that Mark had put the Greenberg card aside for me, and I was returning to buy it for the price he had quoted -
$145.00. It was kind of true. She parted with it, and I got the heck out of there. This really happened.
Fortunately, somewhere along the line, Mark must have cooled off. And through the years, I’ve bought a lot of cards from him.
What is your favorite sports moment you have witnessed (doesn’t have to be in the flesh)?
Well, I enjoy my boyhood memories. I saw Mantle, Maris, Berra, Ford, Stengal, etc. I was at the 1960 Old-Timers Game at Yankee
Stadium. And I attended games in the Polo Grounds, in the Mets first two seasons. But my favorite moment is probably the same
as yours. My son and I were at the Kingdome in ’95, when Junior scored on Edgar’s double, and we beat the Yankees in the playoffs.
Wasn’t that just the greatest?!
Do you have any short or long term collecting goals or do you just buy what you like with no real
rhyme or reason?
My goals are the aforementioned Jewish players, the 1911 Obaks, and the the t205’s. The few remaining Jewish
players I need are so elusive, it is unlikely that I will ever be able to acquire them all. But I am about halfway
through the sets, and might someday complete one or both. And I also like to buy cards impulsively, occasionally.
It keeps it fun.
rhyme or reason?
My goals are the aforementioned Jewish players, the 1911 Obaks, and the the t205’s. The few remaining Jewish
players I need are so elusive, it is unlikely that I will ever be able to acquire them all. But I am about halfway
through the sets, and might someday complete one or both. And I also like to buy cards impulsively, occasionally.
It keeps it fun.
Through the years, how have your views on your collection and collecting in general changed?
I’ve gotten more focused. When I first started, card shows were like a buffet line, and I was a hungry guy with an empty plate. Now,
I am more selective. I’m looking for a tasty morsel.
If you could name just one, what is the hobby subject you would research more if you had the time and why?
I wish I knew more about the photographers and artists. And I wish I knew more about the production and distribution of the old cards.
I love the way baseball is a continuum, connecting us to our past. The cards are portals. Looking at the pictures, and reading the
accounts and stats of players from a century ago, it is easy to place ourselves back in time. For me, that is big fun!
I’ve gotten more focused. When I first started, card shows were like a buffet line, and I was a hungry guy with an empty plate. Now,
I am more selective. I’m looking for a tasty morsel.
If you could name just one, what is the hobby subject you would research more if you had the time and why?
I wish I knew more about the photographers and artists. And I wish I knew more about the production and distribution of the old cards.
I love the way baseball is a continuum, connecting us to our past. The cards are portals. Looking at the pictures, and reading the
accounts and stats of players from a century ago, it is easy to place ourselves back in time. For me, that is big fun!